So you want to be a Self Advocate? Workshop By: Sarah Jama and Terence Bishundayal.
SELF ADVOCATE COORDINATORS - Connecticut...• The DDS CT Self Advocate Coordinators invited self...
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Transcript of SELF ADVOCATE COORDINATORS - Connecticut...• The DDS CT Self Advocate Coordinators invited self...
SELF ADVOCATE COORDINATORS
AT WORK!
Who are the 10 DDS Self Advocate
Coordinators (SACS)?
Legislature Supported
A Voice of the People
Making a Difference
SELF ADVOCATE COORDINATORS AT
WORK What do SACs Do?
Promote Self Advocacy -Spread the
Word!
Promote individual involvement
Develop leaders
Support Regional and State activities
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED WE ARE PEOPLE. CALL ME BY MY NAME! • February 2015 The DDS Self Advocate Coordinators (SACs) unveiled a new initiative,
supporting and recognizing “People First Language.”
• We are People –Call Me by My Name campaign - asks everyone to be called by their given name
• SACs Hope to eliminate the words and terms:
"client“
"patient",
"ward“
"them“
"handicapped“
and the "R" word - "retarded".
SACS CHALLENGE EVERYONE TO
TAKE THE PLEDGE!
SACs invite everyone to take the
Disability Awareness Pledge
Reaffirms a commitment to seeing the person and not
the disability.
The SACs are challenging each one of us to be the
change that makes a difference. – TAKE THE PLEDGE!
Disability Awareness/People First Language Pledge
I PLEDGE:
• To advocate and accept my responsibility to be respectful to the individuals I work with
and for.
•
To RESPECT and treat all individuals equally.
•
To Call each person by their name and refer to them as “INDIVIDUALS/PEOPLE” and
stop using the word “CLIENT”
•
To Support self-advocacy and stand up for individuals’ human rights.
•
To be an advocate for “No More R Word” in my work place and everywhere I go.
•
To Assist and make sure that each person that I work with can make their own choices,
• be part of a community of their choice, and feel accepted to be themselves.
•
I will use People First Language, which means seeing THE person NOT the disability,
using words and terms that are easier for people to understand.
•
To be an ambassador for Self Advocates, Speak up for People First Language, and Be
the voice for change that makes peoples’ lives happen!
• To the best of my ability I solemnly swear to live by the this pledge.
SELF ADVOCACY-
BUILDING THE VOICES
Empowering Others to Speak Up!
Developing and Expanding SA Groups
Working with all of the CT Private Providers
Increasing the number of Self Advocacy Groups and the
number of Individuals attending Self Advocacy Groups.
Working with Private Providers to have advocates on
their boards and an advocacy group within their agency.
SA Groups for individuals in Public supports,
STS, Regional Centers/Group Homes
SELF ADVOCACY-
BUILDING THE VOICES
Empowering Others to Speak Up!
Being an IP Buddy and developing IP Buddies to
support individual advocacy
Developing Self Advocate Volunteers to help Spread the
Word!
Supporting and participating in “CT Cross Disability
Alliance”
NCIs – Peer Interviewing and sharing SA Information
GROWING SELF ADVOCACY STATEWIDE
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
FY '11 FY '12 FY '13 FY '14 FY 15'
Self Advocates
Self Advocates
SELF ADVOCACY GROUPS
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
FY '12 FY '13 FY '14 FY'15
# SA Groups
# of Agency SA Groups
in Process
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Changes Happen: SA Groups have gone through some changes which have showed a difference in our “growing” numbers
• Groups have merged – to support location and transportation
• Staff support has changed
• Agencies have closed – no longer have SA Groups
• Refer SA groups to other local community based organizations who support individuals with disabilities
• Inclusion Groups established in local communities – combining several disability support groups
PROMOTE SELF ADVOCACY – SPREAD THE WORD!
Knowledge is Power! All SACs have a Focus Area
Regular meetings with the Commissioner to discuss issues
that are important to everyone who receives services from
DDS
FAB Topics – Shared with the SA Groups
Fun
Advocacy
Brain Power
SAC FOCUS AREAS Leadership Responsibilities – Each of the SACs support all of
the Focus Areas and are responsible for “Spreading the Word” with all of the topics. They each coordinate the following Focus Areas:
Carlos – Leadership James –Self Advocacy within DDS and Special Olympics Varian –Sibling Advocacy Josh – Spreading the Word at STS Ivan – Aging Carol – Women’s Issues Latasha- ADA and Assistive Technology Genna – Employment Jamar – Youth Advocacy and Transition Jossie – Healthy Relationships
SAC FOCUS AREA
LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP - SACs lead the way by
Supporting and participating in various
Regional and Statewide Committees, conference presentations,
general presentations/trainings to individuals, families, providers
and DDS staff, and are board members for various organizations
Some Committees include: Healthy Living Conference, Hiring
Interview Committees, Qualified Provider interviews, Community
Companion Homes, Community Of Practice Committees – all 10
have SAC representation, CT Coalition for Aging and
Developmental Disabilities, Aging Committee at STS,
Employment Steering, Family & Mentoring Leadership, and DDS
various LEAN groups
Regional Leadership Forums
CO Quality Service Review Staff
Cross Disability Lifespan Alliance
Peer Support
DDS New Employee Training
Supporting the DDS Consumer Corner website
Developing videos to post on our websites to promote various DDS initiatives
DDS Council Member
Job Development Leadership Network
CT Family Support Network
Presented for National Webinars
Presented National and State Conference
Ongoing trainings for Healthy Relationships
SA Volunteers
SAC FOCUS AREA – LEADERSHIP PROVIDING EDUCATION/TRAININGS:
SAC FOCUS AREA - LEADERSHIP
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Ongoing Trainings Provided – SAC Tool Chest “10 Steps to Being a Great Self Advocate” “Employment Now!” “Next Steps- Speak Up! School Days to Pay Days” “Speak Up! Speak Out! – Self Advocacy” “Self Determination – Make Life Happen” “We Have Human Rights!” “What’s So Important About Having A Job?” “Degrees of Mean” “I Have an Intellectual Disability: Do I Need a Guardian?” “Employment First – Real Work for Real Pay!” “Provider Orientation”
SAC FOCUS AREA -
LEADERSHIP SACS Leading the Way! Youth Leadership Forum – Counselors
National Core Indicator Surveys – Interviewers
Individual Plan Buddies
Mentoring Day – October 2014
Presenters at National and State Conferences
People First Conference – “Everyday Leadership”
SAC FOCUS AREA
SELF ADVOCACY
Self Advocacy – SPREADING THE WORD! Self Advocacy within DDS- Developing and supporting
SA groups for people living in DDS supported homes
and out reach to community SA groups. Promoting to
DDS Staff the importance of self advocacy and how it
empowers people to “Make their life Happen”!
COMMISSIONER CHATS
• The DDS CT Self Advocate Coordinators invited self advocates
from around the state to share information about their SA Group,
and share their thoughts, ideas, success stories, and concerns
with our new DDS Commissioner, Morna Murray.
• Three Chat Nights scheduled – one for each region
• 30-40 advocates and advisors participated in each of the
Commissioner Chat Nights
New Self Advocacy Banners!
SAC Focus Area - Self Advocacy - SPREADING THE WORD!
Public Speaking
State Conferences – Aging, Healthy Living, People First, Employment First Employer Seminar, Regional and State Trainings
Mentoring Day – Promote Employment
Disability Awareness Month
Promote DDS Mission and Vision
Promote DDS Five Year Plan
Developed New Provider Orientation Material to promote self direction, self determination, self advocacy and employment!
Self Advocacy Tour Recruitment
SAC FOCUS AREA - SELF ADVOCACY - SPREADING THE WORD!
Presentation Boards
Special Olympics summer games, Regional
Resource Fairs, DDS Staff Retreats, CT Youth
Leadership Project/Forum, Transition Fairs, School
Fairs, Family Forums
SAC FOCUS AREA - SELF ADVOCACY - SPREADING THE WORD!
“Making the Connection” Consumer Corner Website Create and Update Bulletin Boards with FAB topics Share FAB Topics with all SA Groups around the state Spreading the word through email and social networks Blog for NCI Brown Bag Lunches to share information Sharing with school students how to speak up and
advocate!
On Board Training – New DDS Employees and employees who have been out of work for over one year
Collaboration with CT Family Support Network
SAC FOCUS AREA
Youth Advocacy and Transition
• Transition Fairs
• Presentations at high schools and transition academies
• Tips for transitioning into adulthood
• Promote Employment – Real Work for Real Pay!
• Information about DDS
• Promote starting SA groups in High School
SAC FOCUS AREA
SELF ADVOCACY
Self Advocacy - SPREADING THE WORD!
Sibling Advocacy -Promoting more involvement with
siblings of people with intellectual disabilities and supporting
them to advocate together to make a difference
Share website information with SA Groups
SAC FOCUS AREA SELF ADVOCACY - SPREADING THE WORD!
Spreading the Word at STS – supporting consumers living at STS
(state institution) to understand their rights and how to advocate
for the life they want
◦ Spreading the Word through – 10 Steps for Being a Good Self
Advocate
◦ Developed 3 advocacy groups each having people with common
interests
◦ SAC is member of the STS Human Rights Committee
◦ SAC is assisting with people transitioning to community living
◦ SAC is providing 1:1 self advocacy to promote self esteem and
educate
SAC FOCUS AREA
AGING ISSUES
Promoting healthy aging and advocating for services as we age across the Life Span
SAC Board Member of CCADD
Support the Annual Aging Conference – “Aging Matters”
Provide information on Money Follows the Person
Assist individuals to know there are options to move out of long term care
Promote Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June
Promote Older Americans Month in May
Provide materials to support aging in place
SAC FOCUS AREA
WOMEN’S ISSUES
Women’s Issues – Addressing women’s
issues and advocating for healthy
supports and services
Providing Women’s health information and
promoting breast exams
October promoted Breast Cancer Awareness
Provided monthly information about women’s
issues in relationship to the FAB topics
Researched important trends and issues –
presented the facts!
SAC FOCUS AREA PROMOTING ADA AND ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Exploring the world through technology. Voices can be heard if the right support/technology is used. SAC’s explored various forms of technology and have shared with individuals, families and staff to assist people to live and work independently.
Resources:
CT Tech Act, NEAT Market Place,
Assistive Living Technology Inc., Sengistix
SAC FOCUS AREA PROMOTING ADA AND ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Promote:
25th Anniversary of ADA
ADA Service Animals
Understanding ADA and Rights
Technology to promote independence and reduce staff
assistance – tech cars/vans, robotics, stair lifts, computers
The Assistive Technology Loan Program assists CT citizens
SAC FOCUS AREA
EMPLOYMENT
Employment for all- promoting employment goals in
IP, increase employment activities and interviews,
promote review of benefits with Benefits Counselors,
Spread the Word - Employment is Empowerment!
SAC on APSE Board
SACs members of JDLN -Job Development
Leadership Networks
Employment Idol for 2015 Developed
4 Employment Idols selected
SAC FOCUS AREA
EMPLOYMENT
Promote employment at Transition Fairs, Family Forums, Private Provider meetings, and DDS Staff meetings
COP – Employment Steering Committee
Brown Bag lunches to promote Employment and Show the Employment Idol
Promote and support American Job Centers, Capital Regional Workforce Partnership, Connect-Ability, and CT Department of Labor
Always promoting:
REAL WORK
FOR REAL PAY!
SAC FOCUS AREA
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Promoted the New Healthy Relationship Policy Signed By
DDS Commissioner on June 3rd, 2014 promoting the Right of all individuals of DDS to have and enjoy a Healthy Relationship
DDS and Planned Parenthood of SNE collaborate to create a Healthy Relationship Brochure
Collaboration between the PPSNE and DDS to promote health care supports in the PPSNE Clinics in CT
Established ongoing training collaboration with PPSNE to train Clinic Staff
SAC FOCUS AREA
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Ongoing Healthy Relationship Series
Three 6 session trainings held in each
region
20-25 participants in each session
1 Series done in Spanish
Peer teaching by SACs with PPSNE Educator
PPSNE expanded their educators to meet
the demand of the series
COMING THIS YEAR - FY 16! Continue to Meet with the Commissioner to discuss
issues that are important to all consumers who receive services from DDS
Continue to promote REAL WORK for REAL PAY and Employment for ALL
Expand Self Advocate Volunteers – Focus on NCI Interviews and IP Buddies
Continue Family Support Network Collaboration
Promote the DDS Vision and Mission
Promote the DDS Five Year Plan
COMING THIS YEAR – FY 16!
Continue to promote advocacy voices and creation of
new Self Advocacy Groups
Continue to work with PPSNE to educate
“Health Centers” in supporting people with ID/DD
Continue to promote “People First Language”
Continue Campaign to promote WE ARE PEOPLE. CALL ME BY MY NAME
Update SAC “Focus Areas”
COMING THIS YEAR - FY 16!
Continue to support NCIs for all individuals and peer interviewing
Support and assist with implementation of QSR for individuals who self direct their supports
Promote DDS Initiatives through DDS Media Center by creating videos
Promote Peer to Peer Support
Promote IP Buddy to assist people to
SPEAK UP And SPEAK OUT!
DDS Self Advocate Coordinators
Making a DIFFERENCE!
